The Jade City sprawled beneath the early morning sun, quiet except for the distant clatter of blacksmiths and the occasional call of merchants beginning their day. After returning from the Verdant Forest and turning in the required 30% of the spoils to the army, the squad finally had a moment to breathe. The paperwork, inspections, and formalities of the Qin Empire's bureaucracy had been tedious, but it was necessary. Their contributions were officially recognized, and points were awarded.
Alex and I each received 30 points, the maximum attainable for the mission, while each member of our 28-man squad received 5 points. These points were not just accolades; they were a currency for rank promotion within the empire. Higher ranks meant better equipment, more resources, and greater authority over units — all of which would strengthen our squad further.
We returned to the courtyard in Jade City, the familiar space that had become our home, training ground, and refuge. The walls bore marks of countless drills, and the central stone courtyard had seen innumerable exercises, sparring sessions, and battles against both beasts and training constructs.
The spoils of the mission were substantial, and we needed a careful plan to maximize the benefits. I surveyed the loot with Alex, already thinking several steps ahead.
"Intermediate-tier cores, 1-star and 2-star essence stones," I said, "will be distributed among the squad. They've earned it, and it will elevate their cultivation base. With this, our mid-tier and early-tier members can break through faster than expected."
Alex nodded, taking control of the advanced-tier cores, 3-star, and 4-star essence stones. He carefully assessed the cores, using spatial magic to ensure that each one's energy was preserved and stabilized for optimal absorption. His fingers brushed over the cores, and subtle ripples of spatial mana formed around him, amplifying the cores' potential.
I focused on the Earth Element King Core, feeling its raw, primal energy thrumming against my dual-path pathways. Alongside it, I would absorb the two 5-star essence stones and the single 6-star essence stone, consolidating an unprecedented amount of power. The energy was almost overwhelming, even for someone at my cultivation level, but I relished it. This was the culmination of everything we had worked for over the past year.
We gathered the squad in formation, explaining the process. Each member would carefully absorb the intermediate cores and 1–2 star essence stones under supervision, ensuring that no one's cultivation paths were overloaded. Those at the early True Spirit or mid-Mystic stages would feel their progress accelerate rapidly; those at the higher tiers would stabilize and strengthen for future breakthroughs.
One by one, the squad members absorbed their allotments. The courtyard glowed faintly with a spectrum of mana and qi as the energy flowed through their bodies, weaving into their cultivation paths. Some coughed and staggered as the energy surged through them, but none faltered. The result was instantaneous yet subtle — their strength had grown, and their coordination with mana and qi flows improved visibly.
Meanwhile, Alex immersed himself in the advanced cores and higher-tier essence stones. His mana pool expanded rapidly, the energy intertwining with the spatial magic he had already begun mastering. Within hours, his power had reached new heights, allowing him to manipulate not only mana but the very spatial dimensions around him with greater precision. Every motion, every gesture of his hand bent reality subtly, shaping mana into lethal, calculated constructs.
I began my own cultivation with the Earth Element King Core. The surge of energy was staggering — raw, primal, and almost sentient in its intensity. The earth magic intertwined with my existing dual-path cultivation, awakening hidden pathways in my qi and mana, expanding my capacity to channel destructive and defensive forces simultaneously. I could feel the ground responding to my presence even from a distance, the mana rippling into the soil beneath me.
As the day waned, we organized our resources. Healing talismans, consumables, and supplementary essence stones were stored strategically. The courtyard was transformed into a cultivation haven, with designated zones for training, meditation, and core absorption. Each zone was protected with minor protective wards to ensure that any excess energy did not harm those nearby.
Alex finally looked up from his meditative absorption session. "We'll spend the next year like this," he said softly. "Focused, disciplined, and in complete synchronization with our powers. By the time this year ends, neither the bandits nor the 4-star stronghold will be our limit."
I nodded, feeling the weight and exhilaration of the energy coursing through me. "One year of complete cultivation. Every core, every essence stone, every resource we've collected will be used to sharpen our strength. When this year ends, our squad will be unmatched — and we will be ready for anything."
The sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the courtyard in shades of orange and gold. Lanterns were lit, their glow reflecting off the walls and catching in the eyes of the squad members. They were exhausted but determined, each member silently acknowledging the magnitude of what was to come.
The brothers stood side by side at the edge of the courtyard, overlooking the gathered squad. Tomorrow would be the beginning of the year-long cultivation period — a time to solidify gains, awaken latent potential, and master powers beyond their current comprehension.
This year would define them, reshape their limits, and set the stage for even greater challenges ahead.
And in that quiet evening in Jade City, with the glow of mana and qi lighting the courtyard, the Vardar brothers prepared to ascend to greater heights.